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The setback capped a disastrous week for Essendon, in which the club was engulfed in a supplements scandal and put under investigation by the AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, and its two most durable players from last year were sidelined by injury.

Melksham and captain Jobe Watson were the only Dons to play every game last season but both have been ruled out of the opening night of the NAB Cup next Friday, when Essendon plays Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.

Watson suffered a knee strain at training earlier in the week. David Zaharakis, the Bombers’ 2011 best and fairest winner, will also miss the start of the pre-season campaign because of a quad strain.

Hird said Essendon was hopeful Melksham could return to play in Essendon’s third NAB Cup game, against Richmond in Wangaratta on March 2.

“We look forward to him playing in the next two to three weeks,” Hird said.